Preview: Rangers v City

Wednesday 5 August, 7.45pm

City take on Rangers tonight in the first half of a double header against the Old Firm clubs.

Given the ongoing injuries to Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz, expect to see more of Bellamy and Adebayor trying to forge an understanding, unless Hughes goes for a lone striker set-up.

Gareth Barry looks likely to get a run out after recovering from a minor knock and Kolo Toure should get another opportunity to familiarise himself with his new teammates.

Bellamy and Shay Given are the Blues with Celtic connections who can expect a “warm” reception. Both the Glaswegian giants are known for showing a competitive edge in friendlies, particularly against English opposition, even if Rangers didn’t cover themselves with to much glory in the Emirates Cup last weekend.

Arsenal put three past them and it will be interesting to see if we’re able to do something similar. For all the talk of pre season being about building up fitness, it would be nice to see Hughes’ team bang in a few goals and look the part of top four challengers.

Hughes on tonights game:

“We are looking to step up our preparation now. People have tried to read significance into our results so far because of the focus on us, but those games were more about fitness in the grand scheme of things.

“The players are at different levels because some were still playing internationals in June. You have to be conscious of that. Some will have the majority of the game and others will play a part.

“Don’t imagine that playing the Scots means any less to a Welshman than an Englishman! That old Celtic rivalry comes into it. You look at their stadium and their fans, it’s a great place to play and perfect preparation.”

A convincing result would give everyone that little bit more confidence as we try and shake off the memories of last season’s away form.


Lescott’s transfer request not enough?

According to several reports Joleon Lescott yesterday asked to be allowed to speak to City in a meeting with David Moyes. Whether this is going to be enough to enable City to complete the signing of our first choice target for the left-sided centre-back position remains to be seen.

Moyes, as we’ve come to expect, is still against the idea and Bill Kenwright is unlikely to go against the wishes of his manager or the clubs supporters. It looks like Lescott will now have to go to the next stage submit a written transfer request, and City may well follow this up with a fresh bid.

There is the distinct impression that Moyes and Kenwright’s will turn down Lescott’s transfer request and Everton are continuing to make it known they don’t need the money. Their likely signing of Philippe Senderos is said to be cover for the injured Jagielka.

The whole thing has stalemate written all over it, and I can’t see City wanting the situation to drag on much longer with the knowledge that second choices Bassong and Distin are being chased by Tottenham and Villa respectively. The canny Moyes may well be banking on City soon running out of patience.

The only thing likely to change this would be for Moyes to decide he doesn’t want an unhappy player on his hands, otherwise I can see City making a move for Bassong before the end of the week.


Villa set to pip rivals for Fabian Delph?

The race for Fabian Delph’s signature seems to have stepped up in the last few hours with Aston Villa currently looking set to sign the Leeds youngster according to Leeds’ site:

Leeds United can confirm that a fee has been agreed with Aston Villa for Fabian Delph.

Leeds United wishes to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa have conducted their interest in the player.

The club has resisted approaches from other FA Premier League clubs since agreeing terms with Aston Villa.

Having given Villa our commitment to transfer the player (subject to medical), we had no intention of going back on that.

Several clubs including City, Everton, Villa and Spurs have been monitoring Delph for some time and Leeds were reported to have recently rejected bids from a pair of Premier League clubs. City’s interest was confirmed over the weekend by Hughes stating “He is a young player who has been brought to our attention, I’m not sure where we are up to with that because obviously I have been busy with the game [against Barnsley]”.

The Mail among others had us set to offer £10m, but this only seems to have spurred Villa into action, with The Mail now claiming Villa to have agreed an £8m fee.

With the statement on Leeds web site confirming that Villa are now in an exclusive position to discuss terms with the youngster it looks like Delph could be one to get away.

I can’t help feeling that if we really wanted him we would have made our move earlier, however it is unlike Hughes to comment on a player unless we’re set to make a serious bid for them.

My feeling is that Martin O’Neill could well convince the youngster to sign for Villa with a promise of more first team action than he would be likely to get at Eastlands, even if we could offer higher wages.

Video:
Fabian Delph goals 08/09


Player ratings: Barnsley 1 City 1

Given – Required to make a couple of decent stops and saw the woodwork rattled before being beaten late on. 6

Richards – Didn’t look unduly weakened by swine flu and had a solid game. 7

Toure – The debutant fitted in well alongside Onuoha, but doesn’t give the height we’ll need. 7

Onuoha – Still having to play as left sided centre half, and still doing it admirably. 7

Garrido – Just doesn’t convince defensively and it needs to be addressed. 5

Wright-Phillips – An improvement on his last showing but still not on top of his game. 6

De Jong – In a 4-4-2 with Ireland as his partner, there’s a big onus on his defensive qualities and he was up to it. 7

Ireland – Playing as a box to box midfielder, he showed some good touches and managed an assist for the goal. 7

Robinho – A much improved display where he linked up well with those around him. 8

Bellamy – Injury worries over as the Welshman covered more ground than anyone. His intelligent running constantly caused problems. 8

Adebayor – Would have been disappointed not to get his first goals. He always shows for the ball, but needs to attack the box more. 7

Subs:

Ben Haim 46mins – He was looking every bit as good as Toure until a gaff cost the goal. 6

Zabaleta 46mins – Mr Versatile came on at left back to provide some defensive robustness and ended up at right back. 7

McGivern 65mins – Another appearance for the youngster, but playing at left-back he wasn’t able to link up as well going forward. 6

Weiss 69mins – Another cameo from the Czech youngster, combining brilliance and some naivity. 6

Petrov 77 – A late showing that thankfully enabled the blues to get an equaliser. 6

Man of the match: Bellamy